Ex-CEC Quraishi Condemns BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's Religious Remark:

SY Quraishi, the former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), defended himself from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s “Muslim commissioner” statement, reiterating that people should be appreciated for their actions and not their religion. “For some, religious identities are a staple to forward their hateful politics,” Quraishi told PTI on Monday.

The former CEC from 2010 to 2012, Quraishi maintained that he stood by the constitution and that India will remain in support of its democratic institutions.

“I held the constitutional position of Election Commissioner and did my best and had a distinguished career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). I hope in an India where a person is described by what they can do and their achievements, and not by their religion,” he remarked.

Earlier in the day, Quraishi posted a quote on his social media accounts.

"I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it" – George Bernard Shaw.

These comments from Quraishi attracted broad-based support across the aisle.

The Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav has asked Dubey to extend courtesy to a retired constitutional officer, who served the country with dedication. "One who gets dismissed on the face of submission from his own party… ought to mute on a retired constitutional officer. That would be more dignified,” Yadav remarked on X.

Congressian MP Shashi Tharoor associated this statement and with Martin Luther King’s vision, “It is time to side for defending a human being, and not to classify by the community.” Tharoor said.

CPI General Secretary D Raja, while condemning Dubey’s statement, overwhelmed provisioned BJP leaders and raised concern over their silence. “This is most despicable, deeply shameful... Where is Mr Modi for this and Mr Nadda?” asked Raja.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Sanjay Raut described Shahi Quraishi as one of the best election commissioners right after T N Seshan and quizzed “What words are Modi- Shah’s doing the rounds wielding in the country?”

JD(U) Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, spokesperson of the party said he sounds the shackles of BJP is unsure on how to tackle Dubey's comments. Prasad observed the party president fended off the remarks. “It is not right to make a religious statement on SY Quraishi,” said Prasad.

The controversy started when Quraishi criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Act, branding its focus as a “diabolical and nefarious scheme” geared towards usurping Muslim owned properties. Dubey fired back with the “Muslim commissioner” remark, accusing Quraishi of enabling the addition of Bangladeshi elements to the New Jharkhand Santhal Pargana constituency voter list during his time.

This marks the second time in a week that Dubey has found himself in hot water — he was previously heard accusing Lieutenant Colonel-judges, including Commander-in-chief Sanjiv Khanna, of inciting “domestic battles” within the nation.

Under Quraishi, the CEC undertook a number of initiatives such as establishing a separate branch for public outreach which included educating the public about the electoral process, instituting budgetary caps, and launching the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management.

He is also known for making strategic changes that included setting up a division dedicated solely to voter outreach aimed at enhancing citizen engagement. K. Mahesh, who serves as an IAS and is also the restitutive chief of the Academic Group of the Delhi System of Public Administration, complimented Quraishi’s achievements as head of the ECC, calling him a phenomenon of the civil service.